Abstract
Aim: To determine the influence of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) on obesity profiles of 454 Malaysian adolescents aged 12 to 19. Methods: Validated PA and SB questionnaires were used and body composition assessed using anthropometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: Gender-specific multivariate analyses showed boys with high levels of total PA and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) exhibited significantly lower levels of total body fat, percent body fat and android fat mass compared with low PA and MVPA groups, after adjusting for potential confounders. Girls with high SB levels showed significantly higher BMI, waist circumference and DXA-derived body fat indices than those at lower SB level. Multiple logistic analyses indicated that boys with low levels of total PA and MVPA had significantly greater obesity risk, 3.0 (OR 3.0; 95% CI, 1.1–8.1; p < 0.05) and 3.8-fold (OR 3.8; 95% CI, 1.4–10.1; p < 0.01), respectively, than more active boys. Only in girls with high SB level was there a significantly increased risk of obesity, 2.9 times higher than girls at low SP levels (OR 2.8; 95% CI, 1.0–7.5; p < 0.05). Conclusions: The present findings indicate that higher PA duration and intensity reduced body fat and obesity risk while high screen-based sedentary behaviors significantly adversely influenced body fat mass, particularly amongst girls when the PA level was low.
Highlights
The prevalence of childhood obesity, which has increased dramatically over the past three decades in Malaysia and worldwide, is acknowledged as one of the most serious public health challenges of the21st century [1]
Average daily time spent on physical activity (PA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was 1.6 h
A similar observation was found when PA intensity was used, boys whose daily MVPA levels were
Summary
The prevalence of childhood obesity, which has increased dramatically over the past three decades in Malaysia and worldwide, is acknowledged as one of the most serious public health challenges of the21st century [1]. Growing evidence indicates that childhood obesity, as determined by an excess accumulation of body fat, results in a wide range of health risks [1,2]. If excess body fat gained during childhood and adolescence persists into adulthood there is an increased risk of developing chronic diseases in later life such as cardiovascular diseases, type-II diabetes, and certain cancers [2]. Identification and prevention of obesity during adolescence is an important strategy to reduce present and future health risks. Whilst a healthy diet and an active lifestyle are important strategies to prevent excessive weight gain and the risk of obesity [2,3], inactive lifestyle practices such as television-viewing, computer and media use has been shown to have profound effects on obesity risk among Caucasian populations [6,7]. A lifestyle intervention trial to reduce television-viewing and computer use was significantly associated with lower BMI in children, independent of total PA levels [6] and in Caucasian children aged
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